Key topics include phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, vocabulary, dialects, and onomastics (the study of names). Cambridge University Press & Assessment Digital Access and PDF Resources
(ed. Norman F. Blake) Focuses on Middle English: the Norman Conquest’s lexical explosion, the loss of inflectional endings, the rise of Chancery Standard, and the works of Chaucer, Langland, and the Gawain poet.
For those interested in exploring this rich history, the PDF version of "The Cambridge History of the English Language" offers a convenient and accessible resource.
Some partner libraries have digitized older printings of CHEL volumes and made them available through the program. You need a free account, and you can “borrow” a PDF version for one hour at a time (renewable). This is 100% legal because the library owns a physical copy.